October 7, 2012

    Forgiven Significance     

Luke 9: 43b - 45

Luke

While everyone was marveling over all the wonderful things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, "Listen to me and remember what I say, The Son of Man is going to be betrayed."  But they didn't know what he meant.  It's significance was hidden from them, so they could not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

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Thoughts.....

Good morning!

What a stark statement in the midst of such joy.  Not my 'good morning', Jesus' statement in scripture this morning.  Jesus wanted to bring them all back to reality.  Although their heads were 'in the clouds', his wasn't.  He knew his future....that their so-called love and admiration would be short-lived.  Jesus is saying essentially, "Ya, you love me now, but wait, there will come a time when you won't love me.....won't admit you know me.....won't care about me.....will hurt me.....will walk away from me....won't help me....will cause my death.  Will prove you are not a Christian by your actions."  Bold, but true....not the quote, but the paraphrased intent. 

All of us at one time or another has betrayed or been betrayed by someone.  Whether it was real, perceived, intentional or unintentional.  It was painful to the person being betrayed.  Known or unknown, it was painful to the person doing the betraying.  The outcome of the betrayal would have been significant whether mentally, emotionally, physically, or economically to both....the world IS round.  Here we learn there can be spiritual significance for such actions as well. 

Although nothing speaks to forgiveness in this reference, we've learned previously that Jesus forgives.  God forgives those things we do that are not in alignment with what should be done in and for the Kingdom of God.  Those of us who believe in God and have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior understand we are forgiven if we ask, and, 'go and sin no more'.  But what about the people we have been betrayed....will they forgive the betrayer?  Can we forgive ourselves for betraying another?  Everyone must forgive, whether the betrayed or the betrayer.  It is necessary, if you are a Christian, in the true sense of the word....for healing.  And what about someone who betrays again?  Jesus told the woman at the well to go and sin no more.    

"But God, I'm human and I fail."  He knows we are human, hence sending us Jesus to die on a cross to give us forgiveness of sins....if we but ask.  If we do not forgive another, we are not forgiven....by God.  That's forgiven significance.  Sin no more?  Although we should never really tell God, "Hey, I'm human", he made us, he knows us, and, tho' the ideal is to not sin at all, we do, he still loves us, but we must be VERY careful to not choose to intentionally/purposefully sin hurting others....  including him.  And never sin against the Holy Spirit.       

The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant.  It's significance, understanding and knowing the outcome, was hidden from them.  They were afraid to ask.  First, I cannot imagine being afraid to ask Jesus anything.  Painful or not, the truth must be brought to light for forgiveness and understanding, so the path on the journey can become corrected or made clear.  If you keep taking a wrong turn, you will keep taking a wrong turn....you will no longer be on a journey, you will be stuck going around in circles.  You will not grow or achieve and succeed.  Certainly without forgiveness from God, you will not enter heaven.  You will not have understood the significance....of your actions.  In the case of the disciples, it was not time for them to have all the truth. 

Do you remember the story of the seeds?   Some of the seed the farmer planted fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and all the birds came and ate it.  That represented folks who heard the word of God but did not respond, perhaps because others destroyed what little seed of faith was planted (either before or after), and Satan stepped in for insurance creating seeds of doubt.  Having heard that God gave them life, Jesus died on a cross for them to be forgiven of their sins and be offered eternal life, would it have been a betrayal if they decided to not believe in God and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior?  Yes.

Then other seed was planted and fell on shallow soil with underlying rock.  This seed began to grow but soon it withered and died for lack of moisture.  These folks decided to believe in God and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, but weren't surrounded by strong Christians to help them in their faith walk.  Maybe didn't know where exactly to go for help, or were having a 'kindergarten moment' and didn't want to go alone to church, so they didn't, but may have still believed.  Satan, through others, stepped in to further their doubt, maybe telling them they didn't have to go to 'organized' church, and so they didn't get more food for the journey through worship and Bible study.  Maybe they went to church, but they weren't emotionally invested/committed.  They heard the word, knew about church, knew about the Bible, but didn't study or worship, or fully follow the Way.  They betrayed their Lord when they said they would, but didn't follow through, grow, or produce more fruit.  This is, by the way, the majority of Christians, sadly.  Some even go because their relatives went before them, or they are concerned what others may think if they don't go.    

Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades.  These seeds represent those that got caught up with the wrong crowd, were maybe bullied into not believing, who had a change of heart forcing a walk-out.  Satan was really busy with these folks.  Yes, this, too, was a betrayal.

Still other seed fell on fertile soil.  It grew and produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted.  Woo Hoo!  An ideal Christian!  Could there have been betrayal here?  Surprisingly, yes.  All fall short of the glory of God.  But these folks believe in and subscribe to a high moral walk of life.  Can they trip?  Yes.  Can they fall ?  Yes?  Can they crash?  Yes.  Likely?  No.  And they probably won't burn, if they do crash....assuming the crash is not major.  

So these are examples of betrayal and forgiven significance.  Regardless of who you are, how strong or weak your walk of faith, there will come a time when life will be painful.  You will either be the one being betrayed, the betrayer or stuck in the middle experiencing both realms.  So what do you do?

1.  Never fear God. 

2.  Ask God to forgive you.

3.  Ask those you've betrayed/offended/hurt to forgive you.

4.  Forgive those who have betrayed you.

5.  Ask God and listen for answers to the problems that caused the betrayal, so you can learn how to go and sin no more. ..so you can

6.  Do everything in your power to insure that it never happens again, and/or that everything is resolved as soon as possible. 

7.  Follow God, Jesus, Holy Spirit more nearly, love God, Jesus, Holy Spirit more dearly, day by day.                 

I hope you will 'stay tuned' to learn more about how Jesus' story of betrayal unfolds and the forgiven significance of it all. 

After all, if they hadn't....he wouldn't have....and we wouldn't have had....and the world would be....if not for forgiven significance.    

Do you believe God gave you life....made you?  Do you believe Jesus died to give you forgiveness of sins and to offer you eternal life? 

Do you believe Jesus went to heaven so that God could give you Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and teach you?

Have you accepted them into your life? 

If not, why not do so today! 

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you for forgiving me every time I've erred and called upon you.  I am so grateful for your love.  Your life examples show me learn more about how better to walk your walk and talk your talk.  As painful as they may be.  I beg you to open the hearts and minds of all those I've betrayed in my life, intentionally or unintentionally....knowingly or unknowingly....that they may forgive me.  And help me, Lord, to forgive myself.  Help me to find resolutions, as soon as possible, if situations arise calling for this, be they real or perceived.  And help me to live in a way so that I do not need to accidentally/unintentionally/unknowingly,certainly not intentionally/knowingly/purposefully betray someone again.  Lord, I hurt when I hurt others.  Please heal others of the pain I may have caused.  Please help me to not hurt others again.  I know the pain of hurt....betrayal....loss in many, if not all forms.  It is not acceptable to me, or you, that I should be in a position to inflict.  Help me to please rise above, before any situations can occur in the future, so that others do not have to suffer as a result of anything I do or do not do.  There is a better path for the journey called life, and I want to be on it with you.  I try, and I do, and sometimes I succeed, and, sometimes I am not as successful at knowing the turns....hearing your voice.  Would you please speak louder, so I may not even miss hearing your breath, when you whisper.  And please remove from my life the chaos that so surrounds me and gets in the way of me hearing you clearly.  I want to know exactly your plans and your details, if there are turns in the path along the journey.  I have been following what I thought was your path, but just because I've thought it was, does not mean it was or is....even if I have felt sure....and I need to be sure. I know you have plans for me to prosper.  It is your pleasure to give me the Kingdom.  That you love me and others, and want the best for all of us, for them to prosper and have the Kingdom, too.  Help me always to give and be the best, as I represent who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  And when I fail, I pray that you and those around me will forgive me, and, together we can all find resolution to rise above it all.  Thank you for giving me life, forgiveness of sins, and the opportunity to have eternal life....having produced more crops from seeds planted....to become YOUR ideal of who I should be as a Christian.  Sign me 'eternally grateful', God.  I love you.  Amen.               

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us, or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you! 

BesidesBesid   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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